The levels of soluble CD40 ligand and C-reactive protein in normal weight, overweight and obese people.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Obesity has been suggested as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Increasing evidence shows that engagement of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) with its receptor plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to test whether obesity is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation as measured by serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and sCD40L concentration.

METHODS:

Serum hsCRP and sCD40L concentrations were measured in 148 nondiabetic people. The participants were divided into three groups depending upon their body mass index (BMI) levels: Group 1 (normal weight), BMI<25 kg/m(2); Group 2 (overweight), BMI 25 kg/m(2) to 29.9 kg/m(2); and Group 3 (obese), BMI>or=30 kg/m(2).

RESULTS:

Obese people had more elevated hsCRP levels than both their normal weight and overweight counterparts (P=0.000 and P=0.000, respectively). Similarly, serum concentrations of sCD40L were significantly higher, statistically, in obese subjects compared with normal weight subjects (P=0.003). In addition, obese subjects had higher values of sCD40L than overweight subjects, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.063). The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly lower in obese subjects compared to normal weight subjects (P=0.048). The analysis of platelet count disclosed a statistically significant difference between obese subjects and normal weight subjects (P=0.028). The levels of BMI were positively correlated with the serum levels of hsCRP and sCD40L in all subjects (r=0.514, P=0.000 and r=0.283, P=0.000, respectively). Levels of hsCRP were positively correlated with waist circumference, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, leukocytes, platelets, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Similarly, soluble CD40L levels were positively correlated with waist circumference, fasting glucose and leukocytes.

CONCLUSION:

Obese patients showed a significant increase of hsCRP and sCD40L levels compared with normal weight subjects, which might contribute to the known proinflammatory milieu found in these patients.

• Authors: Ilkay Tugba Unek, Firat Bayraktar, Dilek Solmaz, Hulya Ellidokuz, Ali Riza Sisman, Faize Yuksel, Sena Yesil
• Journal: Clinical medicine & research (Clin Med Res) Vol. 8 Issue 2 Pg. 89-95 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1554-6179 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20660932 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• CD40 Ligand
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Body Mass Index
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• CD40 Ligand (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (blood)
• Overweight (blood)